Link deputy chief warns cash still matters as digital payments eclipse wallets

Digital payment methods are now the preferred and easiest option for many consumers, but the UK's main cash machine operator is urging the public not to abandon physical money entirely. Adrian Roberts, deputy chief executive of Link, said increased reliance on cards and mobile payments has left some people exposed when systems fail and that cash continues to play a key role in resilience.

A Link survey and the organisation's observations show shifting behaviour: more than half of people said they would leave their physical wallet at home when they go out, and fewer than half regard their wallet as essential. The trend reflects a wider move away from the card-cash-cheque mix that dominated Britain in the mid-1980s toward a payments landscape where tap-and-go and mobile applications are often the default.

Roberts, speaking as Link marks its 40th anniversary, said the group sees the changes in real time through its management of the UK's ATM network. He noted that the payments environment in 1985 was markedly different: everyday prices and entertainment reflected a pre-digital era, and consumers relied heavily on cash and cheques. Over four decades the convenience of digital payments has reshaped habits, but that convenience carries new vulnerabilities.

Recent high-profile technology failures have highlighted those vulnerabilities, leaving consumers without access to payments, banking services or other digital platforms for periods of time. Link and consumer groups have argued that maintaining access to cash and a resilient ATM network provides a practical safeguard for people who are offline, have connectivity problems, or prefer physical money for budgeting and privacy reasons.

The decline in the day-to-day use of cash does not mean cash has no purpose, according to Link. The organisation emphasises that cash remains important for certain demographics, small businesses and in areas with limited digital infrastructure. Link's position is that cash should be retained as a contingency alongside growing digital options so consumers are not left without a way to pay if electronic systems fail.

Policy-makers and industry participants have increasingly discussed how to balance the push for a more digital economy with protections for those who rely on cash. Measures under consideration in recent years have included preserving access to free-to-use ATMs, monitoring the availability of cash services in rural and deprived areas, and ensuring clear contingency plans for service outages. Link's role as the operator of the ATM network places it at the centre of these debates about access and resilience.

Roberts urged consumers not to abandon cash completely, advising people to keep some physical money available as a practical precaution. He framed the recommendation as common-sense risk management rather than a rejection of digital payments, noting that for most people the convenience of cards and mobile wallets will continue to be the preferred option.

As payment habits evolve, industry bodies, regulators and service providers face the task of ensuring that the transition to digital does not create gaps in access. Link's four-decade perspective highlights both the rapid change in how people pay and the argument that a mixed system — digital convenience supported by cash as a fallback — can help maintain continuity and consumer choice in the face of technological disruption.